Systems for constructing sand structures

Abstract

Systems for constructing sand structures. The system comprises a plurality of mold blocks that can be assembled together such that their inner surfaces combine to form a internal cavity in the shape of a desired sand structure. There is also an external support used to retain the mold blocks in their assembled position. Sand is packed into the internal cavity formed by the collective internal surfaces of the mold blocks to form the sand structure. There may be a plurality of tiers of assembled mold blocks for constructing complex sand structures and there may be a mechanism to aid the user in grasping a mold block to facilitate the removal of the mold block to uncover the completed sand structure and there may also be some interlocking of adjacent mold blocks together. Once filled, the mold blocks are removed, thus creating the sand structure. A package contains all of the mold block and external supports necessary to construct various sand structures and may include weapons used to destroy a completed sand structure in playing a game.

1 . A system for producing a structure, said system comprising a plurality of mold blocks having inner surfaces shaped in a desired configuration and outer surfaces, the mold blocks adapted to be arranged generally contiguously together to create an internal cavity having a desired shape by the collective inner surfaces of the mold blocks and at least one external support adapted to retain the mold blocks in their arranged position. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mold blocks are sand mold blocks and the structure is a sand structure. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the external support comprises a plurality of upstanding rails contacting the external surfaces of a least some of the mold blocks. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the external support comprises a plurality of straps or buckles that span and are affixed to adjacent mold blocks. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the arranged mold blocks form an outer perimeter and the external support comprises an outer casing that at least partially surrounds the outer perimeter thereby formed. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the outer perimeter of the mold blocks and the outer casing both taper inwardly in the upward direction. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the mold blocks has an interlocking device to interlock adjacent mold blocks together. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the interlocking device comprises a guide peg provided on a mold block that interfits into a guide notch formed on an adjacent mold block. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the mold blocks has a surface configuration to facilitate a user gripping the mold block. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the mold blocks are adapted to be arranged in a plurality of vertical tiers or levels. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein an uppermost tier has a curved surface and a lower perimeter adapted to fit into an inwardly tapered opening in the next lower tier. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  further including a plurality of outer casings, each of the outer casings at least partially surrounding a tier of the plurality of vertical tiers or levels. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the collective inner surfaces form a puzzle such that the mold blocks must be assembled in a particular orientation to achieve the desired sand structure or structures. 
   
   
       14 . A package of sand molding tools for constructing a sand structure, the package comprising:
 a plurality of mold blocks having inner surfaces shaped in a desired configuration and having outer surfaces, the mold blocks adapted to be arranged generally contiguously together to create an internal cavity having a desired shape by the collective inner surfaces of the mold blocks and further including at least one external support adapted to retain the mold blocks in their arranged position.   
   
   
       15 . The package of sand molding tools as defined in  claim 14  wherein the package contains a plurality of mold blocks wherein at least one of the mold blocks is adapted to interlock with another mold block to become affixed together. 
   
   
       16 . The package of sand molding tools as defined in  claim 14  wherein the at least one external support comprises an outer casing adapted to at least partially surround the collective outer surfaces of mold blocks when arranged together. 
   
   
       17 . The package of sand molding tools as defined in  claim 14  wherein the package includes at least one weapon that is adapted to be used to destroy a sand structure constructed by the use of mold blocks. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one external support has an outwardly extending flange that extends at least partially around the outer perimeter of the mold blocks. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each mold block is substantially hollow, having an open area facing outwardly from the inner surface such that one mold block can be nested into and interfit within the open area of another mold block. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one mold block is comprised of a base block and a removable face plate having the inner surface shaped in the desired configuration. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein at least one mold block has a removable face plate that is slidably attached or snaps on to the base block. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one mold block is interlocked to at least one other mold block by means of a key and keyway. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the at least one mold block is interlocked to at least one other mold block vertically oriented with respect to the at least one mold block. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the at least one mold block is interlocked to at least one other mold block horizontally oriented with respect to the at least one mold block. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the at least one mold block is interlocked to at least two other mold blocks, one of the at least two other mold blocks being vertically oriented with respect to the at least one mold block and the other of the two at least two mold blocks being horizontally oriented with respect to the at least one mold block. 
   
   
       25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . A package of sand molding tools for constructing a sand structure, the package comprising:
 a plurality of mold blocks having outer surfaces, a plurality of face plates adapted to be slidably attached or snapped on to the mold blocks to form an inner surface thereof, the mold blocks adapted to be arranged generally contiguously together to create an internal cavity having a desired shape by the collective inner surfaces of the face plates and further including at least one external support adapted to retain the mold blocks in their arranged position.   
   
   
       27 . The package of  claim 26  wherein the at least one external support comprises one or more of a rail, a strap or a buckle. 
   
   
       28 . A package of individual face plates adapted to be affixed to mold blocks for creating a sand structure.